Independent developer Esa Helttula has announced Long Multiplication 1.2, a new version of the popular educational math app for iPhone and iPod touch. Long Multiplication was the first long multiplication app in the iTunes App Store. The app can be used to teach and study the long multiplication method.

The Long Multiplication Method Step by Step

The long multiplication method is the standard pen and paper algorithm for multiplying numbers with several digits. The method breaks down a multiplication problem into a series of easier multiplications. The Long Multiplication app allows the user to solve the problems step by step and animates all the steps.

The Interface Supports Learning

Wrong answers are never penalized in this app. If the user presses the wrong button the answer will just appear above the keyboard but it will not move. “Because no wrong entries are allowed the app provides a passive form of positive reinforcement and your child will likely improve in both confidence and competence with respect to the procedure”, said assistant professor of mathematics education Tim Pelton in his review of Column Subtraction, a sister app of Long Multiplication that uses the same kind of input method.

Solving long multiplication problems is also excellent addition and times tables practice. The app is easy to use and it has an intuitive interface with customizable colors and other settings.

The Long Multiplication app has the following settings:
* The multiplicand can have up to 5 digits
* The multiplier can have 1 or 2 digits
* The current operation for each step can be hidden

Version 1.2 of the app has the following new features:
* The operands for the current operation can be highlighted
* There are 3 different themes: black, gray and gold
* The speed of the animations can be set

Long Multiplication is just a one app in a series of popular educational math apps for iPhone. Some of my other mathematics apps are Long Division, Column Addition and Column Subtraction. I have also several apps that use alternative algorithms for pen and paper addition and subtraction.